Hospital bug fine unfair say experts

21st November 2008

A team from Oxford University and the Medical Research Council has said that the government's plan to fine hospitals for not hitting Clostridium difficile targets is unfair.

The team looked at the new system of fines that are due to start next year but in the British Medical Journal the researchers said most NHS trusts in England would end up paying out because of the random nature of the hospital bug. Researchers said there should be more leeway, but the government said NHS bosses could use discretion.